Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists stands for excellence in orthopaedic health care throughout the greater Los Angeles area. We have been anchored in L.A. since 1947, when Dr. Donald Spiers and Dr. Lewis Kistler, the two co-founders, ensured that all partnering doctors - Dr. Howard Hambrecht, Dr. Christopher Jessen, and Dr. Russell Vergess - understood that respectful care was paramount. Today, our practice has five orthopaedic surgeons, a staff of physician assistants, an x-ray technician and a helpful administrative staff to take care of our patients. We serve the entire family - from children to seniors. We deliver care to sports enthusiasts, seniors, business executives, carpenters, mothers, fathers, and grandparents.
Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists
Our Philosophy
We are committed to providing the highest quality care for our patients. Our goal is to return our patients to the best level of function possible. This goal requires expert knowledge of a patient's problems and effective state-of-the-art treatment solutions. After a comprehensive diagnosis has been made, treatment is geared towards restoration of function, pain control, and return to pre-injury activity level. Our approach involves a thorough understanding of the patient's needs, use of modern diagnostic modalities, treatment with multiple conservative measures, and ultimately, advanced surgical techniques when absolutely necessary.
Why Choose Our Practice?
Committed to conservative treatment
We generally follow non-surgical conservative approaches to treat orthopaedic problems. We use highly effective protocols for pain management, physical therapy and rehabilitation. When and if surgery is required, we prefer minimally invasive surgical techniques and use the most up to date technologies in orthopaedic implants.
Fellowship training and board certification means expertise
Our doctors have expertise beyond regular orthopaedic surgery. We are trained in specific orthopaedic subspecialties during fellowships at prominent institutions. We are board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Clinically and academically active
We teach orthopaedic courses to other doctors, regularly attend continuing medical education courses, research and publish papers in orthopaedic journals, have developed innovative devices used nationally in orthopaedic surgery, and have developed natural musculoskeletal health supplements.
Most of our new patients are referred to us by other doctors, friends, and family
We are staff surgeons at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center located in the Los Angeles area. Our practice is the most referred to orthopaedic practice by other doctors at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. Doctors refer their patients to us because they know that we are extremely responsive to patients’ needs.
Focused, available, and involved in the community
We provide you with one-on-one care. We offer same day appointments for emergencies. We are always available to patients and referring doctors. Our doctors have traveled to Haiti to provide orthopaedic medicine to Haitians; we also serve as team doctors for local Los Angeles high schools, and lecture often about current topics in orthopaedics.
Convenience and technologically up to speed
In our office, we offer services such as bracing, x-rays, casting, and splinting. These onsite services ensure that you will be properly fitted with the orthotics that best protect you from additional injury. Lab work and physical therapy services are only steps away from our office door. We record your medical history, condition and treatment digitally by using an Electronic Medical Record system which enables us to have better communication with you and your primary care physician. EMR technology maximizes your privacy.
The doctors at Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists help thousands of patients every year treating injuries and pain in the spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. We are specialists in the following areas:
Sports Medicine & ArthroscopyRunning, biking, playing soccer and skiing make you feel energized and healthy. However, sometimes your body cannot keep up with the demands. It is possible, for example, to develop tears in the shoulder (rotator cuff) or knee (ACL). Our team is particularly skilled in minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, which can put you back on course faster than you might expect.
Hand & Upper Extremity
The hand is a unique area of the human body that is made up of bone, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, skin, and blood vessels. These elements must all be in good working order for the hand to function well. The relationship between all these structures is delicate and refined. An injury or disease can affect any or all of these structures and impair the use of the hand and upper extremity. Injuries to the hand and upper extremity can keep you from writing, working or even holding your child's hand. Our team specializes in getting you "back into the game" as quickly as possible. Surgery may be recommend, but only when non-surgical treatment fails.
Hip & Knee Replacement (Joint Replacement)
Arthritis in the hip and knee can keep you from ordinary activities like standing up or walking. A previously implanted prosthetic joint could also be the cause of discomfort or pain. Our team specializes in joint replacement, and we have helped thousands. With use of the most recent advancements in orthopaedic implants, pain management protocols and minimally invasive surgical techniques, patients recover faster and exceed expectations.
Spine Care
Back and neck pain can be very disabling. Children and young adults can be affected by scoliosis, trauma or disc herniations. Seniors can be afflicted by arthritis, spinal stenosis, deformity, and osteoporosis-related fractures. Our team is trained to help you with neck and back pain and injuries. We always utilize conservative means such as physical therapy, medications, exercise and injections before considering surgery.
Foot & Ankle
The foot and ankle contain numerous bones, joints, ligaments and tendons that function together to allow us to walk efficiently and pain free. These complex structures differ from person to person and constantly change depending on the phase of the gait cycle. Pain in the foot and ankle can be caused by a number of reasons from overuse injuries to inflammatory conditions involving the entire body.
Fracture & Trauma
A fracture is a bone which is cracked or broken. While many fractures are the result of high force impact or stress, a fracture can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis. Fractures are often treated with splints, casts, and sometimes by surgery. Orthopaedic trauma is an injury to the musculoskeletal system (e.g., bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage). In some cases, a trauma can be life-threatening medical emergency, while in others, it is in need of urgent attention but the patient is not in imminent danger.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects millions of Americans. As bones continue to weaken with age, symptoms of back pain, loss of height, and fractures of bones of the spine, arms, wrists, hands, hips and legs can develop. Our team of specialists is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition, as well as fracture prevention with medicines and vitamins, as well as management and rehabilitation if fractures happen.
Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory or degradative condition affecting the cartilage within a joint. Warming signs for arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving one or more joints. There are various treatment options that can help.
